One of the most important and meaningful signings in recent Tennessee Football history was five star running back Jalen Hurd. Jalen was only a five star running back, he was an in-state five star running back. Coming out of Beech High School in Middle Tennessee, Hurd had his choice of SEC schools. He had his choice of about any school actually.
It is no secret that Tennessee had not been very successful recruiting in-state kids. Especially, in-state superstars. It is also no secret that Tennessee was in the midst of its’ darkest football days in fifty years. Back to back coaching hires in Lane Kiffin and Derek Dooley were disastrous for the program. The Vols were at a modern day low. Then along came Butch Jones. Who would think that an outsider like Butch Jones could recruit SEC talent to Tennessee. Why Butch Jones of course.
Jalen saw Coach Jones passion and decided to be a leader in getting Tennessee back where Tennessee belongs, which is among the best college football teams in the country. Signing a star like Hurd had a domino effect. Four stars and five stars started committing left and right when it was apparent that Jones and staff were beginning something special. It has not stopped.
Hurd did not disappoint in year one. As a matter of fact, I think he was better than I expected. Hurd had a lot to learn early in the season about playing college football in the SEC. He learned quick behind a very inexperienced line and amassed 899 yards on the ground and another 221 yards through the air. More impressively he averaged 4.7 yards per carry, which behind the offensive line he ran behind was incredible.
So does that make him elite? The SEC has some great backs year in and year out and this year is no exception. LSU’s Leonard Fournette leads the way. The Sophomore who was ranked as the best running back prospect in the country coming out of high school had a fantastic season with 1,034 yards gained. He is 6’1″ 230 lbs of running back talent. NFL scouts call him one of the scariest players in college football.
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Then throw in Georgia stud Nick Chubb. Chubb had 1547 yards rushing on just 219 carries. He found the end zone 14 times in 2014. He is just a Sophomore as well. He is 5’10 220. Another great Georgia back is Sony Michel. He is yet another Sophomore. He had 410 yards on 61 carries. He will split time with Chubb in their ridiculously good backfield.
Next up is Alabama’s Derrick Henry who is yet another great back wearing the Crimson. Henry gained 1372 yards for the Tide as a Sophomore. He will be the main man in the backfield this season, and will look to put up huge numbers this season behind Bama’a offensive line. Henry is 6’3 and 240 lbs. He is a load, and actually can run away from you as seen in the Oregon game last season.
Alex Collins of Arkansas is another great back in the SEC. He had 1100 yards last season as a Sophomore, and 1029 as a Freshman. Collins is 5’11” 215 lbs. He will be relied on heavily in Arkansas’ run heavy offense. They also have stud Jonathan Williams to carry the mail for the hogs. He added 1190 yards last season in his Junior year. He is the only Senior on this list.
So does Hurd belong on this list? Absolutely. Here is the best thing for Vols fans to hear. Hurd will be much better in 2015. I watched the Spring Game at Neyland this season primarily to see newly acquired Alvin Kamara. Kamara is another 5 star running back that is going to be sensational for the Vols this season. He is going to get plenty of touches as well. Many say he will be better than Hurd. So what did I see at the game?
I saw a Jalen Hurd that I had not seen before. He was bigger and faster than he was 4 months earlier when he was running all over Iowa. He had an extra burst of speed that I did not see last season. Now it is reported that Jalen is up to 240 lbs. Hurd is 6’3″. That is Derrick Henry’s size by the way. I wanted to watch Kamara, but couldn’t pay attention because I could not believe how much better Hurd looked.
I believe it will carry over into the 2015 season. It all will come down to health of course. Can he avoid injury? If he does, he will be among the SEC’s best. If you are among the SEC’s best, you are among the nation’s best. With the talented Alvin Kamara splitting carries with Hurd, it should keep Hurd fresher later in the games. It is late in games where running backs make hay statistically.
So Vol fans can look forward to seeing an even better version of Jalen Hurd this season. A bigger, stronger, and faster version. An elite version. A version that has another 5 star pushing him in practice daily.That is scary to think about if you are a Volunteer opponent.
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